Netflix Won't Be Watching You With The Xbox One's Kinect. Yet.

But as useful as Netflix would find that data, it's not planning to use the new Kinect any time soon. "In the eventual future, maybe," Todd Yellin, Netflix's vice president of product innovation, tells Stuff.
(Kinect, Xbox One)

Its one thing to use connected active information gathering like Netflix does with user recommendations. But its another to "cast a wide net" which uses everything someone does in the hopes of finding something useful.

I'm in the same page with Excalibur except that i won't buy it even if it remove kinect and make it 300$ . Why ?. Because of the experience i had with the X360. Only few exclusives is enough reason to make me avoid buying X1 let a lone the other problems..

I'm just following news to see if they change their policy and released games like gears 1 / alan wake which are in pc too . Man , i miss the old days when it was all about games , now gaming is too confusing and complicated , it's like politic feeling lol

Exactly BLK. It's the non x-boxers that are complaining about these things! Seriously, if you aren't going to buy it, why troll articles that are pro X-one? I comment out x-one articles, that deal with their specs and the kinect.

You two, (Mikey & BLK) really don't get it. So because everyone else, as you say, spies on people through cameras, somehow Microsoft gets a free pass because it is becoming the norm now? If you know exactly that a corporation does this, then nobody should support it. I don't care if it's being done in a lot of areas, if the proof is there then you should acknowledge who's doing the spying. I don't believe every camera has a person spying on you behind it, not many has the money to be hiring people to spy on every single person. What I believe though is that there are certain things that can be said that are selected to be recorded just with your voice. This can be used for marketing purposes, it's still using your voice without permission.

“in June [2011], Microsoft was granted a patent for ‘legal intercept’ technology designed to be used with VOIP services like Skype to ‘silently copy communication transmitted via the communication session.’”

Kryptix, very true. That has actually already been happening on wire-taps for years. Instead of having one person listening to every phone call they just have machines that pick up certain words and then forward them on to humans. Very scary. Can't believe some people actually want this in their home.

I wonder how long it will take before dealers get busted through xbox. I don't pity the dealers... though I do have pity for the drugs.

Cool that you understand how these things work. Not many people get it but I always try to explain it. Just like the Xbox One can pick up specific words like "Xbox On", it can also be programmed to pick up different words without you knowing. The technology has been proven to exist multiple times. Backed up with Microsoft's "legal intercept" technology patent, it makes Kinect a handy tool to be used to record your words in the background. And I provided the link in my previous post that explains the patent. Microsoft have said that there is a switch that can block the lens of the Kinect camera. But see, if they provided that small feature, they know the Kinect motion sensor won't always be needed. Why make the Kinect mandatory? It's going to be used as a recording device just as Skype is being used for that. (Check link in my previous post in this segment.) Microsoft's plan is to extend it from your computer to the living room. To always be on and looking for words, that's why the Xbox One was designed to be able to stay on for 10 years. Also designed the dashboard with "advertisement in mind" as Microsoft have said it. People's voices will be picked up and recorded and that information will go to advertisement agencies so MS can get a quick buck. And this goes with the NSA and Prism, the guy that had the documents is on CIA's top wanted list now. Look, I never said Microsoft are the only ones in this plan, but I'm only using the Xbox One because it's a gaming website. I'm giving people the knowledge they need to know not to support this shadiness. If it becomes successful, the next Xbox will have the same thing, too. Some people don't understand if you buy a console, you're also supporting what it does to be implemented in the next one. So yea, unless Microsoft changes it, the next Xbox after the One will have another mandatory Kinect or a built-in one. Just speaking truth...

Right, so lets just aid them in spying at an even greater magnitude than ever before... its a fact microsoft has and still does work with the nsa. Thats scary enough, then add the kinect in every living room... sorry but gamers don't want the damn camera in the first place. This is why microsoft is gonna be under sony this gen.

I have been trying to express these facts that people are conveniently and actively ignoring, but I either get called a "conspiracy theorist", i wear a "tin foil hat" or I'm "an extreme Sony fanboy".

So lets cover this again.

1) Kinect is a REQUIREMENT 2) It's still possible to turn the XB1 on without it. 3) It's still possible to navigate the OS with the controller. 4) You can block the lens from recording, but not the audio.

So why is it still a requirement for the system to run? Why?

There is nothing else out there to suggest it needs it other than the facts we can pick up with open eyes. You said it all dude.

It's both sad and pathetic that people can see this evidence, and ignore it based on a combination ignorance and stupendous brand loyalty. If you knew your TV company had your living room bugged, would you be as apologetic towards them? Damn. With every other device, you can disable inputs.

Ironically you don't because you chose to let MS be the scapegoat for policies that you have longed since agreed to long before they brought about this "invasion of privacy" people are so concerned about.

You're typing on the internet - duh!

You use Google to search - duh!

City cameras trapping speeders and monitoring streets - duh!

Credit card usage and cell phone triangulation - duh!

Whenever you log into your email at any location, you're being watched - duh!

Advertisements are being tailored made to recognize when you're in the vicinity and shows ads that pertain to you due to history purchase

DUHHHHH!

I mean, c'mon really??? You guys choose to be internet revolutionaries when the war for your privacy has long since been over and we lost? No one had a word for the Patriot Act but my God, don't let MS in with their "always watching" kinect. Oh no!!!

But in all seriousness, your response to being watched is that it's already happening outside, I might as well bring it in to my living room? I just want to be clear. Seeing as google, city cameras, credit cards, cell phones, adverts, literally every single thing you mentioned, do not have an always on camera in my living room, watching everything.

Is that your "intelligent" argument? With the amount of "duhs" in your post, I would argue that the only thing you wrote is a "belligerent" argument.

Sorry Mikey but your argument is completely and utterly flawed. You are basically saying it's okay for Microsoft to do it because it's happening everywhere else.. I dread to think what sorry state our society would be in if everyone thought like you.

No matter what example you use, there is absolutely nothing that can look into my living room.. the closest thing is my mobile phone but the cameras on that can only see my ceiling.

Also everything I do on the internet, i can control myself, I have little to no control over kinect other than turning it off from the power source.

But since the same argumentative point is being stressed let me say this...

My argument has nothing to do with the idea that because you have "big brother" scenarios with everything else, why not add on one more.

No, you Einsteins. That wasn't even close.

My argument is this and has only been this: There are way more eviler entities that work the big brother aspect that should be more of a concern than another Kinect camera on a next gen gaming console that is well under the order of big brother to submit any information they deem.

Then I go on to point out the hypocritical. For those who actually work for a living and have their own, you should already know that Kinect is the least of your worries when it comes to this "invasion of privacy" crap.

At least MS doesn't have the power to recover all your records, monitor your facebook profile, track your purchases to make sure you're not part of a jihad, triangulate your position through cell phones and such...

Compared against all those oppositions, MS is now such an evil entity (yes a corporation is an entity).

If that's the case, then if you guys actually understand how corporations work, then you would know that none of these corporations actually are for your best interests.

So my argument involves something much more than some of you guys simplistic thinking. Think outside the box. Examine the whole picture instead of narrow scopes.

I'm sorry, but you really don't understand. I get that there is worse out there, trust me, I get that. But you do know that this is a gaming website and the best way to send the message is to use the Xbox One as an example? Especially with all the proof out there, it's up to the reader to do more research on the subject. You're saying that we're hypocrites but aren't you a hypocrite for calling us idiots for waking people up? I agree, it's not just Microsoft, it's been more than that, but are you really going to call us idiots for revealing the truth about Kinect's spying? You're not alone, the world has been waking up. It's just our job to tell the truth with proof to support it. And you did make it sound like Microsoft should get a free pass cause everyone is doing it. Instead you should of said, I agree plus this. You're bashing people for speaking the truth? It might just be a small part of something huge, but at least it's leads to more research. And don't use, "duh!" again...you're embarrassing yourself.

"Uhhhhh, its Netflix. How else are they able to suggest movies to me without tracking the movies I have watched?

And this is a post 9/11 world in the US. EVERYTHING is being watched. That's been going on LONG before Xbox One and their kinect." -Mikey/You

So you're argument has now shifted to an internet cause to wake people up to the injustices and invasion of privacy???? Oh please with that horse crap.

LOL I made it sound like that was what I was suggesting? Smh, so you ASSUMED that was my argument. You know why you did so? Because you didn't read my post objectively. You read it ignorantly and assumed such. That's why you didn't understand it. I know what I said, I can read that. That doesn't equate to me saying one evil is better than another, brainchild.

"Instead you should of said, I agree plus this"

Yea right. I'm not a submissive, passive person like you might be. If you don't like my strong opinions, don't step into the discussions, period.

The nerve of this guy. Now its some holy crusade to educate the masses about what is going on beyond Xbox for over the past decade that no one actually cared about for the last decade. Where were you when they started putting locator chips in babies? Or when your phone asked for permission to push notifications that required your GPS position? When the Patriot Act was introduced and your home (or your parents home for this matter) can be searched without a warrant? Your car can be tagged without city government authorization all because they think you might be terrorist?

Sounds like you're just trying to justify the stupidity in buying a console that you know will be used to spy on you.

For me personally, the only dog I have in this race is our rights and freedoms, I could care less what console you enjoy, thats your choice, but make sure youre not selling out you right to privacy and freedom just to own a stupid video game system.

It's only fair. It can't all be gimme gimme gimme. I watch Netflix and Netflix watches me. It's a healthy relationship! I do love how all these Xbox articles have the word "yet" attached at the end. No, the Xbox will not give you cancer. Yet.

The article isn't even typed out by Maria. Let me help you out by adding a piece of what the vice president of Netflix said in the article. Him stating that the Kinect can be used in the future. I think you should click on articles more often rather than just ignoring facts because of the headline or who posted it.

=======From article:

But as useful as Netflix would find that data, it's not planning to use the new Kinect any time soon. "In the eventual future, maybe," Todd Yellin, Netflix's vice president of product innovation, tells Stuff. "We think user privacy is sacrosanct, and we want our users to be super comfortable with what we're doing. The idea of a camera peering into their living room is something that presents some great possibilities, but it also presents some big concerns."

A friend of mine who is a self-professed Apple fanboy - says that the future will be amazing! You'll come home from work and your house with adjust the temp, music and lighting while heating a meal - all based off what it learns from your daily habits. This information isn't free comfort....it's advertisers getting the metadata and video of your daily expressions as the relate to daily living.

Great!

But let me ask you - when has power ever stopped at doing good? This kinect 2.0 is the harbinger of many good things - but also of far worse things.

What happens when say a employee of MS decides he wants you removed. Maybe he knows you. Maybe he seen video of your online banking? Maybe it's a hacker? Maybe it's gov who wants your land? Maybe a insurance company wants to subpoena video for your claims of migraines or back problems....but there you are playing dance dance resolution: cod edition. Lol

Point is - the future you envision will only be a small fraction of what truly is going on. And our privacy is as important as freedom.

Think of how employers have used Facebook against employees in the past 7yrs or so. Imagine what kinect 2.0 will do for employers who are just looking for any reason to can people to cut costs!

All these scenarios sound far fetched because its ludicrous right?!! I'd have said the same thing about the NSA scandal!

As governments start to truly collapse from financial ruin...it'll be big corps who rush in to help stabilize the world. This will lead to a lean of power to corps. We'll be living shadowrun in 30-50yrs. And then corps will be blatant about their use of your privacy on a level unheard of!

But that future is impossible! Sci-fi! I must be high!

I said those exact things to myself when reading 1984.

Stop thinking like fanboys concerning fav consoles. You have a bigger responsibility to everyone...to see through the morass of shadows and do your part to fight for privacy....your constitutional right!

(I'll await the disagrees....it's ok. I'm old. I won't have to live in the world some of you are fostering by supporting kinect type of technologies)

it's a good argument against it i'll agree but the difference between the NSA and non-government bodies who request the information (not saying NSA can get it that's up for debate i don't want to get into) is that the NSA was (whether constitutional or not) legally allowed to do the things it was doing with PRISM.

any employer, insurance company etc etc couldn't use any information they did obtain off of M$ because it would be illegally maintained and illegally shared without your permission...

i'm sure there is some legal way to obtain the information but then again i'm no expert and that's my take on it from my very limited knowledge on the law

Most intelligent post about this subject yet! It's not about brand loyalty, although some use it as ammo for the so-called console wars. It's really about drawing a line in the sand after the line has been continuously pushed. When there is proof and admission, there are no tin foil hats needed.

people have so many excuses , what about getting off your lazy ass and covering the camera, or is that way to hard to do when not using it for games or chat etc.

im sure if your favorite ps4 game used their cameras to great ability many of you would buy it for that game and wouldnt cry about it being on during the game. same applies for x1, they said you can shut down as much of it as you want and we as humans can walk up to it even while stuffing our fat faces with food, and cover the camera

"im sure if your favorite ps4 game used their cameras to great ability many of you would buy it for that game and wouldn't cry about it being on during the game."

Hint, Hint, Hint. PS4 Camera isn't a requirement for the PS4 to function. Kinect 2.0 doesn't afford you an option and an incredible number of people who buy the XB1 won't realise that it's a requirement as it's bundled with the system. They won't realise it's a requirement until their Kinect breaks, or some crap like that.

And it doesn't end at throwing a towel over the lens. You can cover it up but, why should you have to when its reasons for requirement are unjust and dishonest. It it still an always-listening device. Read into the facts that we have at our disposal and you'll one day see sense. Until then Microsoft is going to see a lot of support from fools and the ignorant masses.

Only problem is that it has thermal tracking, an picks up heart beats in the given room.. An the console doesn't operate with it unplugged. I am a current 360 owner, Love Xbox just not the direction they are headed. Just like Windows 8, you give up all that info just to get a properly working OS. If your not willing to conform to MS's ways then you are stuck with half the features f Windows 8. Just don't like there all or nothing approach as of late to there consumers an products. An the problem with half the people's arguments about things spying on you, once again all those things have to first be initiated by you, create a facebook, download a wacky torrent now a hackers got you, etc etc etc. You are pretty much paying for a $500 tap to be brought inside your house. Doesn't matter if I'm doing something right or wrong in my own home. It's our rights but half the people that don't care, are probably the same ones thinking Bin Laden planned 9/11. Know one thing, this country is going to shit!

The problem is that covering the camera doesn't cover the mic or the thermal possibly?

And it's not just a simply cover it up thing.....get some ethics and stand up for what you know is right....not just accept it because "cover it up with a cloth".

And yes....you can read countless cases of datamining misuse by big corps. They can drag on a court case long after your mortgage collateral for your lawyers has been bled dry.

MS new ToS for the Xbone states you can't sue them via a class action. You know why? because for many thats the ONLY way people could afford lawyers....especially the long term case that would follow.

You can still sue personally....but unless you have reserves of mountainous cash forget about it.

Don't forget that it may be legal for NSA to pull the sh1t it does....it's not ethical or constitutional.

Food for thought - theres a famous photo of a african girl in a desert. Shes maybe 6 or 7. She's clearly dehydrated and malnourished. She looks moments from death...

There's a sole vulture waiting beside her....patiently.

The journalist who took the photo had to wait hours to get that perfect national geographic photo. He won a Pulitzer for it!

Now....guess what? It was legal for him to let her die. Journalist code or some BS. His peers universally shunned him and he never got work again in entrenched journalism.

So you see...legally means jack sh1t!

(incidentally on the journalist death bed he told his long time friend that after taking the photo he gave the girl water and brought her into town for medical attention. he just was caught up in the lie...god knows why?!)

dude the feds can listen in on your phone at any time, and your worried about thermals lol hackers can hack your smart tv camera and guess what people are stil buying smart tv's. you guys are living in the past & in denial, the nsa and feds and gov can spy on you regardless of what you do, if your online your spied on.

lets be honest..the problem here isn't the feds..the government..nsa..its Microsoft....guys here find everything they can to bitch about the xbox one..now they want to play on people FEARS to try an push them to buy a PlayStation..if it was sony that had the kinect we wouldn't even be having these kinda articles...

but since we're on it....the government passed a bill YEARS AGO that allows them to monitor phone calls home or cell..there's traffic cameras..street cameras all that watch you..most new cars come with voice activated systems with GPS that can track your every move in that car...can even set up a hotel room for you..if you have an accident it automatically calls 911 an can locate you, but i don't see you guys telling people not to buy those cars or don't buy iphones or any smart phones..if you use IE or chrome an ever go to eBay, amazon or just google SEARCHING..pay attention to your web pages afterwards...everything you searched is gonna start showing up in banners all over you screen..that's just the way shits in today an if you don't like it you might as well get offline an go underground....but at the end of the day..let all agree what this is...sony fanboys agenda to get people ON THEIR SIDE...smdh...you guys got a damn cult mentality...

Ok I think i have heard enough...I am shocked to learn that some of you are ok with the Kinect camera watching you because "its already happening in daily life with other products" What kind of defeated lives do you live? If we as the public dont begin to draw the line in the sand, how far will the line be pushed? The fact is not that Microsoft is evil, but that the propensity for evil to be done with the device exists. So we should pause and think before blindly accepting it into our homes.